Earlier this year Ferrari spruced up its 2017 Ferrari California with the Handling Speciale package, which brings retuned suspension and a louder exhaust note to the automaker’s turbocharged V8 grand tourer.

The California T HS features springs that are 16% stiffer in the front and 19% stiffer in the rear and retuned, more responsive versions of Ferrari’s SCM3 magnetorheological dampers. Ferrari’s F1-Trac logic traction control system is also toyed with to provide better acceleration out of corners and on bumpy surfaces, and a new exhaust delivers a more imposing note.

Motor Trend recently flew out to Italy to sample the new 2017 Ferrari California T Handling Speciale and see it the $8,000 package can transform Ferrari’s softest, most comfortable car into something more fierce. They also wanted to answer the question of whether the California T is a true Ferrari, or more of a showpiece. You probably already now the answer to that, but to be sure, you’ll want to check out the review embedded above.